Spray gun for distributing powdered material



Aug, 12, 1952 R. o. GRAHAM SPRAY GUN FOR DISTRIBUTING POWDERED MATERIAL Filed Jan. 3, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET l 0. G MM INVENTOR.

I f I I ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1952 R. D. GRAHAM SPRAY GUN FOR DISTRIBUTING POWDERED MATERIAL Filed Jan. :5, 1950 V 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1952 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE");

SPRAY GUN FOR DISTRIBUTING POWDERED MATERIAL Roscoe Douglas Graham, Greensboro, N. C. Appiication anuary 3, 1950, Serial No. 136,510

This invention relates to improvements in dust or powder distributing apparatus and more especially to a spray'gun for distributing fertilizer, insecticides and the like in powdered or granulated form on garden plants or other types of vegetation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a manually operablerspray gun having a storage chamber therein in which powdered insecticide or the like may be placed and'also having a compressed air chamber and being provided with means for admitting compressed air from the air chamber into the storage chamber, the storage chamber being provided with a suitable nozzle or sprayer head'so as to cause the powder to be emitted from the spray gun upon admittance of air to th' 'storage chamber.

It is another object of this invention to provide a spray gun of the type described having a tubular extension connected to the powder storage chamber for directing the powder therein to points remote from the storage chamber when compressed air is admitted into the powder stor-f age chamber.

It'is still anotherv object of this invention to provide atrough member conhectingthe compressed air chamber and the storage-chamber so thatair may fiow'fromthe air chamber through the trough into the powder chamber and having means in the trough to prevent the powder'in the storage chamber from entering the air chambeer and clogging the same,

'It' is still another object ofthis invention 'to provide a spray gun for'spraying' powdered material and having anextended conduit thereonfto the free end ofwhichaspray head is connected, the spray head having manually controlled means for discharging the powder from either, the endor the side of the spray head, to thusdistribute the powder to all immediate surfaces of a plant or other vegetation being sprayed.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated,oth'e'r objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawin i h "Figure l'is'a side elevation of the improved,

spray gun withparts broken away;-

Figure 2 is an enlarged end'elevation with parts in s'ection takensubstantially along the line Figure 3 is "'an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional. view taken s'ubstantiallythong the line 3+3in'Fi'gurel;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the trough-taken substantiallyfalohg the line 4--4 in Figure 1;

3 Claims. (01. 43-147) 2 Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Figure 4' and showing the valve spring member 46 in closed position;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the main body of the spray gun taken substantially along the line 6-6 in 'Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an enlarged end elevation of the sprayer head and is taken looking substantially along the lin 'lin Figure 1; 1

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the sprayer head and is takensubst'a'n tially along the line 88 in Figure '7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged side'elevati'o'n of the sprayer head shown in Figure 1 and showing it disassociated from the spray gun.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, there'i shown a manuallybperable 'fsiiray gun' broadly designated at 5 and comprising a pair of axially alined hollow cylindrical'memberst and 1, preferably of sheet metal, and defining'a powder or storage chamber 8 and a compressed air chamber 9, respectively, which are separated by a partition 10 in a manner to be presently described. "Referring to Figure 5, it willbe ob servedthat the peripheral edge atthe right-' hand end of thecylindricalmember 6 is rolled back upon itself, as at I I, and thenfthe' right;

hand end of the member 6 is clo'sedby the partition In, the peripheral edge of which is-rolled over the rolled edge llof the member-6 as at' II. The proximate peripheral edge of the cylindrical member I is then rolled, 'as-at' l3,fover the rolled edges It and I2 of the: 'member filand the partition lD-t'o -thus form an-ai rtig'ht seam locking these threemembersdl and I0 tog'ethe'rg' The end of the-cylindrical-member-l, defining the compressed airchambe'r-Q, remote from the' of the cap membe ciding 'spirallyarr'anged female thread depres sions formed therein, as at l8," so the cap' meme her It may be tightened on the member 1 by turning the same in one dire'ctionp- The cap member [6 has a bore 20 in the central portion thereof which'is slidably penetrated by a p'lu 2L 23 therein is suitably secured to the outer urface of the cap member l6 and the plunger Zl also slidably penetrates the gland member the washer 23, the washer 23 in theglan d mem; ber 22 acting as-a wick-typereservoir for holding nge'r" A gland member 22 having afibroils-"washer a lubricant for the plunger 2|. The cap member l8 has a bore 24 therein to permit ingress and egress of air in the chamber 9. A suitable handle 25 is secured, as by a pressed fit, on the outer or right-hand end of the plunger 2|.

The end of the plunger remote from the handle 25 is restricted and has a resilient sleeve 23 therearound and a disk 21 having a plurality of diametrically opposed bores 28 therein is slidably mounted on the restricted end of the plunger 2| adjacent the sleeve 26.

A resilient cup washer 30, preferably of I rubber, provided with a plurality of diametrically opposed bores 3| therein is slidaly mounted on the restricted end of the plunger 2| and bears against the disk 21. The cup washer 30, the disk 21 and the sleeve 26 are secured on the plunger 2| by any suitable means such as a washer 32 and a nut 33, the nut 33 being thre'adably mounted on the threaded left-hand end of the plunger 2|.

It will be observed that the diameter of the disk 21 is somewhat less than the interior diameter of the cylindrical member I and that the washer 33 is flanged in the usual manner. The

portion of the cup washer adjacent the disk I 21 is of a smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the chamber 9, while the portion thereof remote from the disk 21 is normally of a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the interior of the chamber 9, to thus cause the cup washer 30 to fit tightly against the interior surface of the cylindrical member The bores 3| in the washer 30 are disposed in such a manner as not to coincide with the bores 28 in the disk 21 to thus prevent the escapement of air therethrough or thereby from the portion of the chamber 9 disposed to the left of the disk 21, in Figure 6, when the disk '21 is being moved from right to left in Figures 1 and 6. When the plunger 2| is moved from left to right in Figure 6, the friction of the peripheral edges of the washer 30 engaging the interior surface of the cylindrical member 1 will cause the cup washer 3|] to flex away from the plate 2'! topermit air topass through the bores 28 and the bores 3| into the left-hand portion of the chamber 9. The disk 21 and the associated parts may then be moved from right to left in Figure 6 to compress the air within the chamber 9.

.-A.suitable handle 35 is secured to the outer surface of the cylindrical member 1, as by rivets 36,'for carrying the spray gun either'while it it is in use or in transporting the'spray gun from one place to another.

The lowerleft-hand portion of the cylindrical member 9, in Figure 6, is provided with a bore 4|] and a trough member 4|, which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and has a pcripheral flange '4la, has its flange 4|a secured, as'by'spot welding, to the lower portions of the cylindrical members 6 and 1. The trough 4| is arranged, in Figures 1 and 6, so as to be disposed under one end of the cylindrical member 1 and under a substantial portion of the member 6. The bore 40 communicates with the interior of the trough member 4|.

The trough member 4| has a longitudinally extending partition 42 secured thereto, as by welding, and having a pluralityof bores 43 therein at that part of the partition disposed beneath the chamber 8. The partition '42 also -has a bore 45 therein directly beneath the bore '40 in the cylindrical member "I, to thus permit air to pass from the chamber 9 through the bores 40 and into the trough 4 and thenupwardly through the bores 43 and into the chamber 8 in a manner to be presently described. It is to be noted that the bores 43 in the partition 42 are of greater diameter at the left-hand end, in Figure 6, than they are at the right-hand end of the partition 42, in Figure 6, the diameter gradually decreasing from left to right. The purpose of this is so that the pressure of the air passing through the trough 4| and upwardly through the bores 43 will be substantially the same through each of the bores 43.

A valve means comprising a spring member 46 is secured to the lower surface of the trough partition 42, by any suitable means such as rivets 41, and this leaf spring member normally remains in a closed position as shown in Figure 5. However, when air is forced through the bores 40 and '45, the pressure of the air will cause the spring member 46 to move opened position as shown in Figure 6.

The cylindrical member 6 is provided with a plurality of spaced bores 50 coinciding with the bores 43 in the partition 42 to permit air'to flow into the chamber 8 from the trough 4| in the manner heretofore described. It is evident that the partition 42 may be omitted, if desired, and is merely provided to assist in restricting the flow of powder from within the storage chamber 3 into the trough 4|. The left-hand end of the cylindrical member 6 (Figure 6) is partially closed by an annular member 5|, the peripheral edge of which is rolled, as at 52, over a rolled edge 53 of the cylindrical member 5 to thus secure the annular member 5| on the cylindrical member 3. The annular member 5| has a'fiange 54 on its inner peripheral edge projecting outwardly therefrom over which the flanged peripheral edge of a cup-shaped closure member'55'is adapted to be slidably mounted.

The closure member 55 is adapted to be slidably mounted on the flange 54 projecting from the inner peripheral edge of the annular member 5| and which may be removed for replenishing the supply of insecticide or other powdered'material which may be placed in the chamber 8.

In order to hold the closure member 55 in a closed position, the closure member '55 has a bearing member 55a suitably secured thereto which is adapted to slidably receive the medial portion of a substantially U-shaped member'56, the legs of which extend toward the handle member '25 and terminate a substantial distance to the right of the seam'formed by the rolled edge 52 of the annular member 5|. The free ends-of the legs of the U-shaped member 56 are pivotally connected intermediate the ends of suitable links 51 disposed at opposed sides of the cylindrical member 6, only one of which is shown in the drawings.

The links 5! are pivotally connected, as at 58, to opposed sides of the cylindrical member 6 and at a point more closely adjacent the closure member 55 than the point at which the -U -shaped member 56 is connected to the links 52. The upper ends of the legs of-a substantially U-shaped locking member 60 are secured in the free ends of the links 51, as by a pressed fit, "and this U-shaped member 60 extends downwardly "andnormally passes beneath the trough member 4| whenthe closure member 55 is in a closed position. It is evident that the links 51 will hold the closure member 55 in a tightly closed position when the substantially U-shaped member 60 is moved in a counterclockwise manner 'to the position shown in Figure l'and towhere the pivot 5, 6B of the links-51 will be disposed beneath the longitudinal plane of the U-shaped member56.

The lower portion of the member 60,?in Figure 1, may be'moved from right to left to cause the links 51* to pivot in a clockwise direction to move theends of the U-shaped member 56 to a point below dead-center to permit the closure member 55 to be removed from the end of thecylindrical member 6. 3

The upper portion'ofthe cylindrical member 6 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 6| disposed directly above the bores 58 in the lower portion of the cylindrical member 6 and a suitable foraminated screen 62, which covers the slot 6|, .is securedto the upper surface of the cylindrical member 6 by any suitable means such as soldering. A pipe or conduit 63 having one end 7 thereof flared to form a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional portion 64 and having a peripheral flange 65, is secured by any suitable means, such as spot welding, togthe upper'outer surface of the cylindrical member 6 so as to cover the slot 6|. The pipe 63 extends to the left, in Figure 1, and has one end of a sprayer head pipe or conduit 66, of a slightly larger diameter than the pipe 63, telescopically mounted thereon. The free end of the pipe 66 has a sprayer head broadly designated at 61 secured thereto by any suitable means such as welding.

The sprayer head 61 is shown in detail in Figures 6, 7 and 8 and comprises a disk member 68 having a bore 69 therein which coincides with the interior of the pipe 66 and which is rolled over at its peripheral edge to confine the flared peripheral edge of a cup-like member 10 therein thus securing the member 18 to the'disk 68. The cup-like member 78 has a centrally located punched hol H therein, the material defining the wall of the hole H being flared outwardly as atTZ.

A second or rotatably adjustable cup-likememher 13 rotatably engages the flared walllZ ofthe hole H. The member ?3 is fitted for rotation around" the outer'surface of themember 18 and has -a bore 14 in the central portion thereof coinci'dingwith the hole "H in the center of themember'lfl. A'bolt'l'5"slidably' penetrates the bore 14 inthe cup-like member 13;.a'swe'l1 as the hole H in the member '18, and is confined thereon by a washer l6 and a nut E8. The bolt 15 holds thecup-like member 13 in frictional engagement with the fixed cup-like member Hi.

The fixed cup-like member 18 has a plurality of circularly spaced bores 88 therein, which may be observed in dotted lines in Figure 7, and the member 13 also has a plurality of circularly spaced bores 8| therein. Now, it-will be observed, in Figure 7, that the rotatably adjustable member 13 may be partially rotated so that the bores 8| in the member 13 will coincide with the bores 80 in the member 18. When these bores 88 and 8| coincide, the powder being forced from the chamber 8 through the pipes 63 and 66 into the sprayer head 61', will b emitted from the sprayer head 61 through the bores 88 and. 81.

Referring to Figure 9, it will be observed that one side of the side wall of the fixed cup-like member in has a plurality of bores 85 therein and one side of the side wall of the rotatab y adjustable cup-like member 73 has a slot 86 therein of a length sufficient to permit all of the bores 85 to be exposed when the cup-like member is positioned so the slot 66 coincides with these bores 65.

The member 10 has a suitable stop such as a 6 tab '87 punched in one side thereof, adjacent the lowermost hole 85 in Figure 9, and which is adapted to engage one of the walls of the slot 86 to restrict rotation of the rotatably adjustable cup-like member I3 past a given point. It will thus be observed that when the slot 86 is in the position shown in Figure 9, powder being forcedfrom the chamber 8 will be'discharged through the bores 85 in the fixed cup-like member 10. As will be observedin Figure 8, when the slot 86 is in ;this position the bores are closed by the cup-like member 13- and no powder will 'be discharged through the end of the sprayer head 61.

The bores are provided so as to permit the sprayer head 61 to be placed beneath a plant with the bores '85 facing upwardly to thus permit-powdered insecticide or the like to be sprayed on. the; under side ofjtheioliage of a plant. Now, when it-is desired to spray powder from the end of the sprayer head 61, the member 13'maybe turned in a counterclockwise direction, in Figure 7, to where the stop or tab 81 will engage the upper wall of the slot 86, in Figures 7 and 9, to thus close the bores 85 and, at this point, the bores 18! will coincide withthe bores 80 to per,- mit the powdered insecticide to be sprayed through the bores 88 and BI in the end of the sprayer head 61. i

It is thus seen that I have provided an improved spray gun which may be used to spray insecticide or the like in powdered form on various types of vegetation and in which the powdered insecticide may be placed in the chamber 8 and the trough 4| will prevent the insecticide powder from entering the air chamber 9. Therefore, the plunger 2| and its associated parts will always work freely and will not become coated with the powder, which would, likely result in the movable parts binding against the stationary parts. It is also seen; that I have provided an improved sprayer head from which powder may be sprayed, either from the end of the sprayer head 6! or, if itis desired to spray under the foliage of plants or the like, the member 13 maybe rotatably mounted onthe fixed cup-like member 10 so that the powder may be emittedfrom the side of the sprayer head rather than the end thereof. Obviously, thisside may be turned upwardly so that an operator can spray the under surface of the plants. Further, the telescopic construction of the conduits 63 and 66 permits the sprayer head 61 to be placed in normally inaccessible areas to permit the operator to spray all parts of the plants or other vegetation to be sprayed.

I claim: I

l. A spray gun for spraying powdered material on vegetation comprising a cylindrical member having a transverse partition therein dividing the same into an air chamber and a powder chamber, a trough member secured t the exterior of the cylindrical member and extending longitudinally thereof, a portion of the trough being disposed on the wall of the powder chamber and extending substantially the length of the powder chamber, said cylindrical member having bores therein connecting the powder chamber with the trough member, said cylindrical member also having a bore therein connecting the air chamber with the trough member, said cylindrical member having a conduit secured to one side thereof and communicating with the chamber, said cylindrical member having a removable closure member no the end thereof remote from the air chamber, said trough member having a longitudinally extendingp'artition therein provided with-spaced holes eoinciding with the bores in the -cylindricalmember which connect the trough to thepowder chamber and the air chamber.

2. spray .gun comprising a pair-of axially alined hollow cylindrical memberssecured to each otherat their proximate endsand defining a powder chamber and an air chamber, a partition separating said chambers at their junction point, a trough member-secured to thecylindric'al members and extending longitudinally thereof, the cylindrical" member defining said air chamber having a bore Ltherein communicating with said trough member, the cylindrical member defining sa'idpowder chamber having a plurality of spaced bores therein communicating with said trough memben saidtrough member having a longitudinally extending partition therein provided with apluralityof spaced bores in alinement with the bores insaid powder chamber also having a bore therein, said cylindrical member defining said powder chamber having a longitudinally extending slot 'thereindiametrically opposed to said trough, a screen covering said slot and secured to said cylindrical member forming a powder chamber, a conduit having one sidethereof cut awayand secured to the cylindrical member formingthe powder chamber-and covering said slot.

33A "spray gun for powdered material comprising two cylindrical members seamed together at their "proximate ends and having'a partition member with its peripheral edges also seamed into the proximate ends of the two cylindrical members, the two cylindrical members forming respectively an-air chamber and a powder chamber,-a trough member having-its open Side secured to the exterior of amajor portion of the powder chamber and also secured to the exterior portion "of the air chamber adjacent said partition,said-troughmember having a longitudinally extendingpartition dividing the trough member into inner and outer passageways, the wall of said cylindrical member forming the powder chamber covered by the trough member having g a plurality. "ofnspaced bores therein, said longitudinally extending partition" having a plurality offiboresitherein coinciding with the bores in the cylindrical member-forming the powder chamber, the longitudinally extending partition also fitting tightly.1againsttheseam joining the two cylindrical members and having abore therein in the end adjacent the cylindrical member forming the air chamber, the cylindrical member forming the air chambehhaving .a bore coinciding with the space defined "by the trough a sp'ring 'valve member normally closing the blast-named bore in the longitudinallyextending"'partition and being adapted to bem'oved to open position when compressed air is present in the :air chamber, the sp'aced'bores in-the-longitudinally extending partition progressively increasing in size as they 'extend from the juncture point of the tw'ocylindricalmenibers toward "the outer end of the'trough member, the cylindrical member forming the powder chamber having an elongated longitudinally extending slot extending a major portion of the length of the cylindrical member forming the powder chamber, a screen covering said slot anda-conduit having an open side secured to the outer surface of the cylindrical member forming the powder chamber and through which powder is adapted/to be expelled upon compressed air being generated in the powder chamber.

'ROSCO'E DOUGLAS GRAHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

"UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 852,065 Keller Apr. 30, 1907 1,400,162 Holmes Dec. 13, 1921 1,422,253 Brown July 11, 1922 1,464,457 Wendel Aug. 7, 1923 1,676,462 Root July'10, 1928 1,785,944 Ezdorf Dec. 23, 1930 1,869,483 Knapp et a1. Aug. 2,1932 1,968,541 Tatum July 31, 1934 72,086,696 Brandt July 13, 1937 2,148,726 Brandt Feb. 28, 1939 2,163,477 Warr et al June 20, 1939 2226,0113 Oys Dec. 24, 1940 

